🎭 Are Critics Real?

Trump’s Latest Claim and What It Says About Power and Perception By Steven Leroy Rawding Jr. Coalition Strategist & Civic Analyst

In a recent speech, President Donald Trump said something that raised eyebrows:

“A lot of these people aren’t real. They’re made to do things and say things by the radical left.”

It’s a bold claim. And it’s not the first time Trump has suggested that opposition to him is fake, staged, or manipulated. But what does it mean when a leader refuses to believe his critics are real?

Let’s break it down.

🧠 Turning Criticism Into Conspiracy

When Trump says his critics are “made” or “hired,” he’s doing something strategic. He’s not just brushing off disagreement—he’s turning it into a plot.

• Real people become puppets.

• Real concerns become scripts.

• Real dissent becomes sabotage.

This kind of language doesn’t just defend Trump—it attacks the idea that ordinary citizens have the right to speak out.

🧱 Why This Matters

In a democracy, criticism is normal. It’s healthy. It’s how we hold leaders accountable. But when a leader says critics aren’t real, it sends a dangerous message:

“Only loyalty is legitimate. Everything else is a lie.”

That’s not leadership. That’s control. And it’s how authoritarian systems start—by making the public doubt its own voice.

🔍 What’s the Strategy?

This isn’t just about ego. It’s about optics.

• If critics are fake, then Trump doesn’t have to answer them.

• If opposition is staged, then he can claim victory without debate.

• If the “radical left” controls everything, then Trump becomes the only truth-teller.

It’s a way to build loyalty by tearing down trust.

🛡️ Final Thought

When a leader refuses to believe his critics are real, it’s not just a political move—it’s a symbolic one. It tells the public: “Don’t trust your neighbors. Don’t trust the media. Trust only me.”

But democracy doesn’t work that way. It needs disagreement. It needs accountability. And it needs leaders who can face criticism—not erase it.

—Steven Leroy Rawding Jr. Coalition Strategist & Civic Analyst

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